chaffer

¹ American  

[chaf-er] / ˈtʃæf ər /

noun

1. bargaining; haggling.

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verb (used without object)

1. to bargain; haggle.

   to chaffer over a price.

2. to bandy words; chatter.

   to chaffer about nothing in particular.

verb (used with object)

1. to bandy (words).

2. Obsolete. to trade or deal in; barter.

chaffer ² American  

[chaf-er] / ˈtʃæf ər /

noun

1. a person who chaffs chaff or banters.

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chaffer British  

/ ˈtʃæfə /

verb

1. (intr) to haggle or bargain

2. to chatter, talk, or say idly; bandy (words)

3. obsolete (tr) to deal in; barter

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noun

1. haggling or bargaining

Other Word Forms

• chafferer noun

Etymology

Origin of chaffer¹

1175–1225; Middle English chaffare, derivative of chapfare trading journey, equivalent to Old English cēap trade ( cheap ) + faru journey; fare

Origin of chaffer²

First recorded in 1850–55; chaff ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

There appraisers sit with ancient scales, chaffer to the utmost kran,* seal their purchase with a solemn glass of tea.

From Time Magazine Archive

And yet you dared to chaffer with me?

From Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France by Weyman, Stanley J.

Just as on the exchanges, speculation and chaffer play here the leading role, nor are deception and swindle left out.

From Woman under socialism by De Leon, Daniel

The hubbub and chaffer of it all went on the day long.

From The Heart of Unaga by Cullum, Ridgwell

You didn’t know I could chaffer Latin with the best of ’em, did you?

From The Nebuly Coat by Falkner, John Meade

Related Words

• bargain
• barter
• dicker
• quibble
• squabble
• wrangle